From Amigos de Animales
By Teresa Lemon Shepro; Photo by Sallie Kravetz
September 19, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Gracias to Gloria! 

Amigos de Animales has several volunteers who have never missed a spay and neuter blitz, but only one client who has faithfully attended each and every one. Her name is Gloria Herrera Centeno, and she is the proud owner of 6 dogs and 12 cats! 

To come to our blitzes, Gloria and her brother have to walk over an hour from their home on the road to Rancho Lomas del Salto, east of San Miguel, just to get to the highway. Once they reach the highway, they can catch a bus into town—if they are bringing cats for sterilization. They have to hope the felines, secured in familiar mesh market bags, will go unnoticed by the bus driver. When they bring dogs, they try to get a lift from someone with a pick-up on the rancho. 

It is a lot of effort, but Gloria knows it is worth it. She spoke with us at our most recent blitz in Colonia Independencia on Saturday, August 23. She and her brother were patiently waiting their turn outside a salon de fiestas, our temporary surgical headquarters for the weekend. 

Gloria respects all living creatures, she told us in Spanish, whether on two legs or four. She is a true “Amiga” de los Animales and promotes family planning for pets. She encourages people to be responsible guardians, to treat their pets well, provide them with good food, and to spay and neuter as soon as possible. 

Gloria had brought her two newest kitties for sterilization that day, helping to bring the number of animals operated on to 170 for the weekend. Now all 18 of her animals are fixed, she told us. She isn’t looking for any more pets, but you can be sure that the homeless dogs and cats in her neighborhood are looking for her!

We won’t be surprised if we see Gloria and her brother again at one of Amigos’ blitzes. We appreciate their dedication to the dogs and cats of San Miguel. Gracias, Gloria! 

Amigos de Animales relies on donations. We are a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status in the US. To receive a tax-deductible receipt, please make your check out to: Amigos de Animales de San Miguel de Allende. Our local drop-off location is La Conexión, PMB 262, Aldama 3.